In empirical analysis, the Kakwani index is the most frequently used indicator for comparing progressivity across countries and over time. The Kakwani is often assumed to measure to what extent a policy design is targeted to the poor. It has, however, a major drawback: it is not defined for net...

Introduction -- Why inequality is the real issue -- The long neglect of inequality -- The statistical drift of inequality studies -- Inequality and globalization -- Inequality and democracy -- The future of inequality